After successfully "borrowing" an identity, Lu Qingtang felt at ease. Tipsy and wide-eyed, she curled up on the bed and rolled around in her quilt.
Watching her look sleepy, Lu Wensheng stood up and said softly, "Qingtang, get some rest. I’m going out to buy groceries."
Lu Qingtang poked her head out from the quilt, waving her hand with a smile. "Go ahead. Don't worry, I'll take care of the matter with Lu Erya."
Lu Wensheng nodded, turned, and walked out.
She closed the door behind her and stood on the steps for a moment. Looking up at the familiar yet strange city of Qincheng, she recalled how Lu Qingtang had been covered in blood just last night.
How could such a kind and powerful girl tolerate Lu Erya using such filthy, vicious methods against her?
The emptiness in Lu Wensheng's eyes gradually hardened into a sharp edge.
Half an hour later, Lu Wensheng appeared in the lobby of the police station. With dark, focused eyes, she looked at the officer across the desk, gathered her courage, and said firmly, "Officer, I want to file a report!"
***
In the office, due to a "reminder" from Ning Yan, the senior officers held yet another "meeting" upon hearing that Lu Wensheng had returned to the station so soon.
When they saw the girl sitting in the lobby, everyone froze in unison.
After a long silence, someone asked, "Did the Lu family have twins back then?"
"No. The Lu family only has one daughter in this generation. The other one has no blood relation to the family."
"Then how could..."
The group recalled the "Lu Wensheng" they had seen that morning and compared her to the girl sitting outside. Although they shared the same face, the impression they gave was worlds apart.
Suppressing their inner doubts, they listened carefully to what Lu Wensheng had to say. The more they heard, the more indignant they became.
"That group didn't even restrain themselves inside the police station. One can only imagine what they are like when no one is watching. Most of what this young girl says must be true—it's despicable group bullying!"
"The strangest thing is, the forensic records and the site investigation reports all indicate that the people were indeed beaten by this young girl, Lu Wensheng... but how is that possible?"
"Unless she suffered some major trauma and suddenly had a violent, psychotic episode, how else could such an incredible thing happen?"
The police chief heard this, and a certain thought flickered faintly in his mind.
He stared at Lu Wensheng outside the door, who was sitting so quietly it seemed unnatural. After observing her for a moment, he suddenly said, "Go find a psychologist and have them run a mental health test on her!"
***
After filing her report, Lu Wensheng was about to stand up and leave when a female officer spoke up, "Miss Lu, please wait a moment. We need your cooperation for an investigation."
Without a ripple in her expression, Lu Wensheng sat back down. "All right."
The officer left, and soon a young man in a well-tailored suit with gold-rimmed glasses walked in. He looked up at Lu Wensheng. "Hello, my name is Tan Zhou."
Lu Wensheng nodded slightly.
Tan Zhou looked at her solemn eyes and softened his tone. "Fill out this form. Don't be afraid; just write down what you're thinking."
Lu Wensheng took it politely, lowered her head, and began to fill it out quietly.
Ten minutes later, she stood up and handed the completed form to Tan Zhou with both hands.
Tan Zhou said gently, "That will be all."
Lu Wensheng whispered a thank you, then turned and left quietly.
Tan Zhou looked down at the answers Lu Wensheng had submitted, his expression growing more grave as he read.
Half a year ago, when the Lu family first brought Lu Wensheng home, Tan Zhou had met her once.
He faintly remembered her as a quiet, clever girl with clear eyes. Although a bit introverted, she had clearly been a child with an excellent temperament.
Comparing the scene of that first meeting to the Lu Wensheng who had just been sitting there, Tan Zhou frowned deeply.
He opened the medical chart and wrote a single line at the bottom:
*[Confirmed: Major Depressive Disorder.]*
Recalling the files provided by the police, he added at the end:
*[Suspected: Schizophrenia.]*
After finishing, Tan Zhou took out his phone, snapped a photo of the diagnosis, and sent it to a specific contact.
*[If you don't come back to settle this soon, your biological sister is going to be lost.]*
***
That evening, Lu Wensheng simmered a pot of pork rib soup and sprinkled it with scallions. As soon as she lifted the lid, the rich aroma instantly filled the small rental apartment.
Lu Qingtang held a bowl and took a sip, the flavor so fresh she stuck out her tongue. "Oh my god! What kind of peerless little fairy is Shengsheng? This is delicious!"
While busy gnawing on a rib, Xingxing didn't forget to look up and chime in, praising its little mistress.
Looking at the two little gluttons, a smile bloomed unconsciously on Lu Wensheng's pretty face. "You lost so much blood yesterday; you need to recover properly."
Although the wounds had healed, Lu Qingtang couldn't go to a hospital for a check-up in her current condition, so she could only eat well to build back her strength.
Lu Qingtang nodded repeatedly, her large eyes squinting in bliss. "Mm-hmm!"
In the end, most of the soup went into Lu Qingtang's stomach.
After dinner, Lu Wensheng studied while Lu Qingtang went out for some air.
Leading Xingxing, she took a stroll along the nearby riverbank. "Xingxing, I don't really remember the way. Once you're done walking, remember to bring me back..."
Xingxing let out a "woof," wiggled its round little bottom, and charged ahead, shaking its head.
Passing an intersection, Lu Qingtang happened to look up and saw an expensive car speed past.
In a fleeting glimpse, she saw a familiar, stunning face flash inside the window.
Lu Qingtang paused, her eyes suddenly lighting up. "Baby, let's go play somewhere else tonight!"
***
The black sedan stopped outside the Rose Imperial Palace.
The driver opened the door, and Ning Yan stepped out from the back seat.
"Young Master, the next heir of the Xu family in Qincheng has sent an invitation; he says he wants to meet with you."
Ning Yan's face looked exceptionally cold in the night, and his tone was indifferent. "No."
He began walking toward the elevator but stopped halfway, as if remembering something. He tilted his head and glanced in a certain direction.
His clear, peach-blossom eyes revealed a hint of secret amusement. "If a girl walking a dog comes looking for me later... bring her in."
"Whatever she wants to do, let her."
***
Half an hour later, Lu Qingtang crouched in the rose bushes outside the hotel with Xingxing, staring up in conflict at the seven-star hotel, the finest in Qincheng.
She had run away immediately after sleeping with him last night without saying goodbye; she wondered if her future "little husband" would be angry once he woke up.
If Lu Qingtang were still her twenty-three-year-old self, she certainly wouldn't have any scruples.
But her current situation was special; she couldn't take responsibility for him just yet.
After a moment of hesitation, Lu Qingtang made up her mind. She decided to go see the man she had just slept with in person.
She would give him some peace of mind and tell him she wasn't some heartless jerk who slept with him and then played dumb!
And if something seemed off? She would just say her name was Lu Wensheng, and she was a "junior" of the person who had slept with him...
Leading Xingxing, Lu Qingtang walked into the opulent hotel lobby.
The air was filled with the faint scent of roses.
Just as Lu Qingtang was about to ask which room her future husband was staying in, a sharp, piercing voice came from beside her.
"Lu Wensheng, how dare you show your face here?!"